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NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

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NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by apocalypse »

Severe Weather Warning courtesy of the NZ MetService

ISSUED BY MetService AT
9:14 am 14-Dec-2011

Very Heavy rain for the west and north of the South Island. Also heavy rain for Mt Taranaki, Northland, the north of Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Tongariro National Park.

An active front over the Tasman Sea should move slowly eastwards across New Zealand during Wednesday and Thursday. This front is preceded by a strong and very humid northeasterly flow. Rain is likely for much of the country, with the heaviest falls in the west and north of both islands. Warning amounts of rain are likely during Wednesday and early Thursday for Westland and Buller, Marlborough, and for Nelson where as much as 400mm of rain may fall about the northwest Ranges.

As the front approaches the North Island from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday morning warning amounts of rain are expected for Mt Taranaki, Northland, the north of Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Tongariro National Park. Rain in most of these areas should ease from the west on Thursday, however heavy rain is expected to persist in the east of the Bay of Plenty overnight Thursday.

People are advised rivers and streams may rise rapidly, flooding and slips are possible.

Area Forecast - Nelson

In the 27 hours from 9am Wednesday to noon Thursday expect 300 to 400mm of rain in the ranges west of about Motueka and 150 to 250mm in the remainder of Nelson. Peak intensities of 20 to 35mm/hr, easing Thursday morning.
Nathan Morris
2013 Rainfall
Jan - 3.8mm
Feb - 27.0mm
Mar - 0.0mm
YTD - 30.8mm
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by apocalypse »

Other Area Forecasts:

Westland
In the 21 hours from 9am Wednesday expect 150 to 300mm of rain. Peak intensities of 25 to 35mm/hr, easing late Wednesday evening.

The ranges of Buller, including the Paparoa Range
In the 27 hours from 9am Wednesday to noon Thursday expect 150 to 200mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm/hr, easing Thursday morning.

Marlborough
In the 30 hours from 9am Wednesday to 3pm Thursday expect 150 to 200mm of rain about the ranges and 80 to 120 in the remainder of Marlborough. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm/hr expected, easing from around midday Thursday.

Mt Taranaki
In the 27 hours from noon Wednesday to 3pm Thursday expect 100 to 150mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm/hr expected from late Wednesday evening.

Northland
Rain is expected to become persistent and heavy Wednesday afternoon. In the 18 hours from midday Wednesday to 6am Thursday, expect 80 to 120mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr expected Wednesday evening and overnight Wednesday.

Coromandel Peninsula
In the 18 hours from midnight Wednesday expect 70 to 100mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hour Thursday morning.

Bay of Plenty
In the 30 hours from midnight Wednesday to 6am Friday expect heavy rain to spread east across the area. 100 to 150mm could accumulate. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr in the west Thursday morning and over the entire area Thursday afternoon. Rain easing in the west Thursday evening and in the east early Friday morning.

Tongariro National Park
In the 24 hours from midnight Wednesday to midnight Thursday expect 100 to 150mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr Thursday, easing Thursday evening.

Auckland north of Orewa
In the 18 hours from 6pm Wednesday to midday Thursday expect 60 to 90mm of rain. Peak intensities of 10 to 20mm/hr, easing Thursday morning.
Nathan Morris
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Jan - 3.8mm
Feb - 27.0mm
Mar - 0.0mm
YTD - 30.8mm
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by apocalypse »

Latest Synoptic Chart
Valid at: 7:00am Wednesday 14 Dec 2011
Image

Latest Satellite Image
1:00pm Wednesday 14 Dec 2011
Image

3 Hourly Rainfall Forecast
7:00pm Wednesday 14 Dec 2011
Image

Wettest:
11.6mm at Hokitika Aerodrome AWS
Nathan Morris
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Feb - 27.0mm
Mar - 0.0mm
YTD - 30.8mm
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by apocalypse »

Some locations in the Nelson area have already received over 200mm according to MetService.

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Nathan Morris
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Feb - 27.0mm
Mar - 0.0mm
YTD - 30.8mm
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by apocalypse »

State of emergency declared in Nelson

"MetService says another 150 to 300mm is likely around the ranges of Nelson on top of similar amounts that have already fallen.

The forecaster said totals of 500mm were possible in some places, making it a "very significant" amount of rain."
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Feb - 27.0mm
Mar - 0.0mm
YTD - 30.8mm
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by apocalypse »

Severe Weather Warning Courtesy of the NZ MetService

ISSUED BY MetService AT
8:05 pm 14-Dec-2011

Major rainfall event for the Nelson Region, with torrential falls not expected to ease until Thursday morning. Very heavy rain for other western and northern parts of the South Island and northern parts of the North Island.

An active front over the Tasman Sea should move slowly eastwards across New Zealand overnight Wednesday and Thursday. This front is preceded by a strong and very humid north to northeast flow. Significant rain has already fallen in parts of Westland, Buller, northern Marlborough and especially Nelson, and is not expected to ease in these areas until Thursday morning. Another 100 to 200mm is expected about the ranges of Nelson on top of 200 to 400mm that has already fallen in the last 24 hours, with totals for this entire event possibly exceeding 500mm in some places. This is a very significant amount of rain for the Nelson Region and people there are advised that further flooding and slips are likely.

Warning amounts of rain are also expected for Mt Taranaki, Northland, the north of Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Tongariro National Park from this evening through to Thursday afternoon or evening, and may persist in the east of the Bay of Plenty until the early hours of Friday.

People in these areas are advised that rivers and streams are likely to rise rapidly, and that surface flooding and slips are possible.

Area Forecasts:

Westland
In the 9 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 6am Thursday, expect another 50 to 100mm of rain about the ranges and 30 to 50mm nearer the coast, on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm/hr are expected at first, easing overnight.

The ranges of Buller, including the Paparoa Range
In the 14 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 11am Thursday, expect another 50 to 100mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 10 to 20mm/hr tonight, easing early Thursday morning.

Nelson
In the 15 hours from 9pm Wednesday to noon Thursday, expect another 100 to 200mm of rain in the ranges west of Motueka, 100 to 150mm in the ranges inland from Nelson City, and 50 to 100mm in the remainder of the Region. This is on top of substantial rain that has already fallen, with totals for this entire event possibly exceeding 500mm about some ranges. Peak intensities of 20 to 35mm/hr can be expected about the ranges, easing around 6am Thursday.

Marlborough
In the 18 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday, expect another 80 to 140mm of rain about the Richmond Ranges and Marlborough Sounds, and 50mm in other parts of Marlborough, excluding the Kaikoura Coast. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm/hr expected about the Richmond Range and Sounds, easing around midday Thursday.

Mt Taranaki
In the 18 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday, expect another 100 to 150mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak intensities of 15 to 25mm/hr expected overnight Wednesday and Thursday morning. Note, 30 to 60mm of rain is likely about low lying areas north of the mountain, including New Plymouth.

Northland
Rain is expected to become persistent and heavy this evening. In the 14 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 11am Thursday, expect 70 to 100mm of rain, and possibly up to 150mm about the eastern hills north of Whangarei. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr expected early Thursday morning, especially about the eastern hills.

Coromandel Peninsula
In the 18 hours from midnight Wednesday to 6pm Thursday, expect 70 to 100mm of rain, and possibly up to 150mm about the ranges. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hour Thursday morning and afternoon, especially about the ranges.

Bay of Plenty
In the 30 hours from midnight Wednesday to 6am Friday expect heavy rain to spread east across the area. 100 to 150mm could accumulate, especially about the ranges. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr in the west Thursday morning and over the entire area Thursday afternoon. Rain easing in the west Thursday night and in the east early Friday morning.

Tongariro National Park
In the 24 hours from midnight Wednesday to midnight Thursday, expect 100 to 120mm of rain. Peak intensities of 15 to 20mm/hr, easing Thursday evening.

Auckland north of Orewa
In the 18 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 3pm Thursday, expect 60 to 90mm of rain. Peak intensities of 10 to 20mm/hr overnight, easing late Thursday morning.
Nathan Morris
2013 Rainfall
Jan - 3.8mm
Feb - 27.0mm
Mar - 0.0mm
YTD - 30.8mm
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by Rivergirl »

Thanks apocalypse. A photographer friend of mine is in New Zealand trying to get to Rotorua by small plane. They cancelled flights for 24 hrs then when she got on one it couldn't land in Rotorua and had to turn back to Auckland. She ended up going by bus. I'm glad it didn't rain that much when I was there earlier this month
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by Onetahuti »

Bad weather has prevented the new Civil Defence Minister arriving in Nelson this morning as the region suffers its worst flooding in decades.

The National Crisis Management Centre at Parliament was activated this morning, following a state of emergency being declared in the region yesterday.

Flooding forced more than 100 people to flee their homes and caused continued damage to property, homes and infrastructure.

Civil Defence Minister Chris Tremain, on his first day in the job, flew to Nelson this morning, but the plane could not land.

It got within 100m of the ground before returning to Wellington.

Tremain was booked on another flight at 10.30am which he hoped could land.

"We're in the hands of the weather," he said.

Meanwhile, police have warned of the possibility of further evacuations in the region, despite rain forecast to move away.

They advised people to have raincoats, torches and essential medications ready in case they had to leave their homes.

Roads into Nelson city were gridlocked this morning, making it difficult for emergency services to get to people in need.

An apartment building in Nelson, the Waterfront, was evacuated after a landslip occurred behind it.

To the west, Ligar Bay, in Golden Bay, was a "disaster", resident Liz Batten said.

Debris had poured down a stream on a side road yesterday evening, damaging five houses, two of them "extremely badly".

"It's broken through their walls. In one house it's gone through a garage and taken a car with it."

Fortunately a man had seen the stream waters building and had run up and down the side road yelling for people to get out of their houses.

Everyone affected had got out of in time and been looked after overnight by other residents of the settlement.

RAIN MOVING AWAY

Rain had eased this morning, and MetService's Daniel Corbett said the band of intense weather was moving away from Nelson.

It would still be affecting the Richmond Ranges east of the city but even that was clearing away.

By late morning or lunchtime, most of the steady rain would have moved away from the top of the South Island, Corbett said.

However intense rain was moving onto parts of the North Island, with up to 150mm possible for Taranaki up to Northand and across to the Bay of Plenty.

Corbett said yesterday the Nelson rain was already classified as a once-in-20-years flood and it could be upgraded to a once-in-50-years flood.

WIDESPREAD DAMAGE

Civil Defence said daybreak was revealing a multitude of problems and widespread damage in the Nelson region.

An Iroquois helicopter was being requested to do aerial reconnaissance this morning.

Rainfall had been most significant in lowland areas of Takaka, Richmond and the hills behind Nelson.

Takaka township recorded 423mm of rain in a 24 hours period, making it "well in excess of a one in 100 year event," Civil Defence said. The previous 24 hour rainfall high was 256mm in August 1990.

Police incident controller Inspector Ross Lienert said the rain eased slightly overnight allowing rivers to subside, however there was more heavy rain from about 4.30am and rivers and streams were still in flood.

Lienert urged people to consider their safety before venturing out on to the road.

"If you don't need to travel please stay at home. The last thing we need right now is people sightseeing and putting themselves at risk."

He said there was still surface flooding and slips on a number of roads and several main routes remained closed.

SH6 over the Takaka Hill was now open, however he asked people only to use the road if was essential.

The road to Collingwood was closed by a slip at Birds Hill. Police have been advised that may take several days to clear.

Schools in Golden Bay were closed, Civil Defence advised.

South of Richmond, one lane had opened on the Brightwater Bridge on State Highway 6, however the Appleby bridge was closed.

Rocks Road, the main route along the Nelson waterfront, was also closed. Slips and flooding on SH6 north of Nelson were further causing concern and may soon close.

EVACUATIONS, DAM COLLAPSE

A total of 108 residents evacuated their homes overnight, with most going to family and friends.

Small numbers stayed at Onetahua Marae in Pohara, Golden Bay, the Pohara Motor Camp and a Nelson Motel. The dam above Pohara Gully collapsed leading to the evacuation of some residents there.

Dovedale, Pohara and Mapua residents were being requested to conserve water.

More than 60 slips of varying sizes had been reported around the region.

Police advised people to stay away from areas where obvious slippage has occurred.

This morning at the end of Grove St in The Wood a household was trapped by slips and police were rescuing the inhabitants.

Debris from the saturated hillside was all over the end of the road.

Tasman district deputy mayor Tim King was last night stranded at Civil Defence headquarters set up at the Tasman District Council (TDC) offices in what he described as close to the worst flooding he'd known.

The Eves Valley farmer had been cut off from his home for hours, and joined the throng of council, Civil Defence and emergency staff camped at the TDC where the emergency response was being coordinated.

City council staff member Jacqui Irwin heard last night from her parents stranded in Pohara in Golden Bay that they were safe, but described the scene as surreal as picnic tables suddenly began floating past the stricken area when a water supply dam apparently collapsed.

Collingwood, a township in western Golden Bay with a population of about 200, and all areas beyond it were cut off overnight by slips, Lienert said.

A number homes in Nelson city had also been evacuated, he said.

Local authorities have asked for two Unimog four-wheel drive trucks from the Defence Force to assist with the Civil Defence effort in Golden Bay. An Iroquois helicopter has been requested to help with reconnaissance.

Evacuation centres were set up in Nelson at the Suburban Club on Tahunanui Drive and in Golden Bay at the Onetahua Marae in Pohara.

Lienert advised people to call immediately if they thought their property is affected by slippage.

"Properties affected by slippage could be life-threatening and we want people to call."

Meanwhile, St John has had to move out of its Richmond ambulance station because of flooding.

Chris Haines, St John Regional Operations Manager South Island, said with the state of emergency it was still on stand by overnight and working with other emergency services and Civil Defence as required.

It had a full response capability as it prepared for the hours ahead and its crews were now preparing for high tide.

"We are currently operating from our stations in Nelson and Motueka as well as the Saxton Lodge Motel in Stoke. It's too early to say what damage, if any, has been done to our ambulance station in Richmond,'' he said.

SLIPS CAUSE HAVOC IN NELSON

Major slips on Allan St in the Grampians area of Nelson city last night brought down rivers of mud and silt, which slowed around houses and down towards Nelson College.

In the early evening a large part of the steep hillside slipped. By 9.30pm police had ordered many residents to evacuate.

Some residents worked feverishly until nightfall to clear stormwater drains and divert water around their homes.

The Nelson City Council was already being blamed by residents for felling a large number of trees on the hillside.

Police were cautioning the few Allan St residents in unaffected properties to be ready to leave at the slightest sign of further slips or rising waters around their homes.

In Stoke, about a dozen people were out well after nightfall shovelling mud and debris from the Ridgeway.

A slip had come down from Kakenga Rd between 6pm and 7pm, causing gutters to block and threatening properties on the Ridgeway and Marsden Rd.

At least one home on Kakenga Rd had been affected by the slip and the Nelson Mail spoke to a neighbouring property owner who was evacuating his wife and children after 9pm just as a precaution.

"The mud has been going through the neighbour's place,'' he said.

Other residents were standing under umbrellas outside their homes, worried about what the night would bring. They believed a large section of land above had become unstable.

Marsden Rd residents Andrew and Amanda Stoddart were among those out shovelling debris from the road.

People had just got close to clearing up the first lot of debris that had come onto the road when a second lot hit, Mrs Stoddart said.

"I was just looking out and thinking the road is nice and clean. It just went boof and busted out. There's rock everywhere.''

Another Marsden Rd resident, Jacqui Page, was also shovelling debris from the street and wasn't expecting to get much sleep tonight.

"You're not going to go and relax inside when it's like this. I've got the torch in my pocket.''

Marsden Valley Rd in Stoke was also closed last night.

Near Poormans Stream, residents Carey and Dianne Burr and their daughter Alana saw a large slip come down about 6pm.

"We heard this massive crack and watch it all fall down.'' Alana likened it to "this big sleigh''. Mr Burr, an engineer, estimates the slip to be about 150 cubic metres.

They were out with spades on the hill behind their property just before 9pm trying to stop spreading of a much smaller slip which had bought mud into their neighbour's place.

Neighbour Jack Shuttleworth said the smaller slip had gone through his fence and blocked drains. He's hoping the floodwater protection in a new neighbouring subdivision will work as it should.

"There's not a hell of a lot we can do. It's more exciting than Coronation Street,'' he said.

The Press = Christchurch
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by daviescr »

It's more exciting than Coronation Street
Gotta love the Kiwi spirit in a disaster! TBH, there's it doesn't take much to be more exciting than Coronation Street ;)

Wow at the rainfall totals, truly stunning
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Re: NZ Front & Low Pressure System - Heavy Rain

Post by Tassiedave »

Pathetic news coverage on the Channel 7 & 9 430 News Bulletins.
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